I am here today at an EBM workshop in Holmsbu, Norway. With me is Dr Per Vandvik, a Norwegian hospital physician and an exponent of evidence-based practice.

Paul: Could you tell me a little bit about your own clinical background and about yourself.

Per: I work as a consultant physician in the department of medicine in a non-academic district hospital in Norway. I got involved with research about 9 years ago—doing my thesis on irritable bowel syndrome. I mostly see patients with gastroenterological conditions, but I am also involved with all kinds of patients in the medical department.

Paul: Can you tell me how evidence-based medicine works for you in your clinical practice?

Per: Well, I struggle to make it work everyday. For me, evidence-based practice is a toolbox for finding answers to clinical questions. So that’s the way I approach this in my practice. Every time I identify a question, I try to find the answer as quickly as I can. But it’s a big challenge; I guess it is for all of us. But the best way for me to find the right answers at the right time is using hand-held computers with resources such as Up-To-Date or Clinical Evidence.

Paul: Typically in a clinical day or clinical week, what type and how many questions might you be answering?

Per: Definitely the questions are about diagnosis and treatment. I am increasingly aware that questions about diagnosis are important, but they are …